Super Metroid​, also known as Metroid 3, is an action-platform video game and the third game in the Metroid series. It was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1 and Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. The game was released in Japan in March 1994, in North America in April 1994, and in Europe in July 1994. It was released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2007. Under development for 18 months, Super Metroid was directed by Yoshio Sakamoto and designed by Sakamoto, Gunpei Yokoi, and Makoto Kanoh. The game's story follows Samus Aran as she attempts to retrieve a stolen Metroid from the Space Pirates."